Centrifugal switch.



C. F. SULLIVAN.

GENTRIFUGAL sWiTcH.

APPLICATION FILED NOV. 18, 1912.

1 1 22 ,v3 32, A Patented Deo. 29, 1914.

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CHARLES F. SULLIVAN, 0F DES MOINES, IOWA.

CENTRIFUGAL SWITCH.

Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented Dec. 22, 1914.

Application led November 18, 1912. Serial No. 732,026.

lcharacter which will be simple in construction, and effective in operation.

Tn the present form of the invention, the improved switch embodies a rotatable element or wheel, which is, provided with lugs that lie in the plane of the Wheel and are so attached to the wheel that they will be thrust outward by centrifugal force when 'the wheel is rotated, the lugs moving farther outward in \proportion to the increase in speed. Bell or gong arrangements are provided, as many as desired, in the present instance but two, to be set in operation by the lugs. The lugs are 4so adjusted that when the vehicle has reached a certain speed, the lugs will connect one of the bell arrangements and ring this bell or bells. This we will call the speed limit. Then as the vehicle increases in speed, and the speed limit has been passed, another bell arrangement is connected and this second bell rings.

The above and other features, advantages -and capabilities will become apparent from a detailed description of the accompanving drawing in which:

Figure 1 is a vertical section of a centrifugal switch device, constructed 'in accordance with the principles of this invention. Fig. 2 is a horizontal section of the centrifugal switch taken on the line 3-3 of F ig. 1, in the direction of the arrowsl as shown.

The switch proper consists essentially of a wheel or element which may be generally designated as 14, mounted on a shaft 15, Iiournaled in the housing 13. To this wheel 14 are attached lugs 16, in the present in stance four are shown, which lugshave a channel 17, and two legs 18, 18, extending from the walls of this channel whereby the legs 18, 18 and channel 17 seat or straddle the wheel 14. These legs are attached to the portion 19 of the wheel which we will term the hub portion of the wheel, by means of the spiral springs 20 connected to the legs 18 18. In the wheel member 14, there is provided a chamber 21, in which a projection 22 may travel. This projection 22, serves the purpose to prevent the lugs from beingr thrust out too far and thus break the spring 20, as when the vehicle is run at a very great speed. Secured to the housing 13 and to one side of the wheel 14, there is provided an insulated partition 23, which has a contact member 24 secured to it. This contact member is preferably of ring shape and made of copper or other suitable conducting material. A similar partition 25 is provided at the other side of the wheel having acontacting memberv 24. These Contact members are at diderent distances from the shaft 15. In the present instance, contact member 24 is the smaller ring member, the ring 24 being removed a greater distance from the shaft than the ring 24. Thus when the wheel is rotated, by centrifugal force, the lugs are thrust outward, and in their outward movement they first strike contact member 24 and when the speed is increased sufficiently, they will move out to strike Contact member 24. When the lugs 16 strike the contact member 24, by means of a brush 26 which is in contact with the shaft 15, which brush is connectedto batteries 27 by wiring 28, which batteries 27 are connected to bells 29, by wiring 30, which bells are connected to Contact member 24 by wiring 31, a circuit will be effected, and the bells 29 will be rung. Now, when the lugs strike the contact member 24', through the brushes 26, wiring 28, batteries 27, wiring 32, bell 33, wiring 34 to contact member 24', a circuit will be eifected to ring bell 33. Motion is imparted to the switch through the medium'of the shaft 15.

While I have herein shown and described only one embodiment of my invention, it is to be understood that various changes and modifications may be made by those skilled in the art without departing from the scope of my invention as defined in the appending claims.

Having thus described my invention, what I claim as new and desire to secure by Letters Patent is:

1. In a centrifugal switch comprising a housing, a wheel journaled therein, one face of said Wheel having radially extending slots formed therein, lugs mounted upon the periphery of said wheel, projections carried by said lugs and adapted to operate within the slots, contact members carried by said housing, means for rotating said wheel whereby the said lugs will move outwardly by centrifugal force to engage said contact members. and the said projection adapted to limit the outward movement of said lugs.

2. In a device of the character described, a rotatable element, lugs, 'one end of said lugs being bifurcated and adapted to rest upon the periphery of said element, coiled springs for connecting the bifurcated ends ,of said lugs to the hub ofv the'element, conrest upon the periphery of said element, projections carried by said lugs and adapted to operate within said slots, coiled springs connecting said lugs with the hub of the element, contact members arranged adjacent to each side of said element and concentric therewith, the said contact members being at different distances from the axis of the element, and means for rotating said element whereby the said lugs will move radially from the axis of the element by centrifugal force. for engagement withy said contact members. v

In witness whereof, I hereunto subscribe my name tothis specification in the presence of two witnesses.

BENJAMIN P. COLLINS, A. C. PRINSE. 

